He said: "There is one thing, this season is going be a little more balanced because of the fact the top six are all in European competitions.

"Not like last season, when Chelsea and Liverpool played all season one match per week, with all the others playing in Europeans competitions – especially us, playing in Europa League.

"Next season, six teams, and also Everton, are going to play in Europe and that is going to create a new situation for Chelsea and Liverpool."

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Jose Mourinho thinks Chelsea and Liverpool will face a tougher challenge this season

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“Six teams, and also Everton, are going to play in Europe and that is going to create a new situation for Chelsea and Liverpool”

Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho

Mourinho reckons the Blues had a big advantage last season because of their lesser workload.

He added: "I don't want to say it was 'key' because if I say that, I don't want to take credit from the credit that they (Chelsea) deserve.

"But obviously, to play one match per week and one, two or three days off during the week, have no injuries or no accumulation, the same with Liverpool, I think obviously it helps.

"Now they are going to face a different situation, but with the squad they have and the players they are signing, I think they are going to cope with it."

Mourinho enjoyed major success in his second seasons at Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan - winning either a domestic title or the Champions League.

Now he has backed himself to do the same with United - but admits there can be no guarantees.

He added: "Can we win it? We can, but maybe we don't.

"As I was saying, everything is good and strong, but some of them (other clubs) are really strong in the market, so it is going to be difficult.

"Normally, the second season should be better than the first, because you know the club, you know the players.

"The players, they know you, the club know you can affect in a positive way the structure. You can affect in a positive way the people that work around you.

"So normally the second season should be better than the first, but again, this is modern football. The reality is totally different.

"So when I see the way other clubs invest, when I see the way other clubs keep their best players, when I see the way other clubs refuse to sell their best players, when I see the economical power to do it, it is getting much harder.